Newbie performance upgrades - 986 Forum

orangeamcs · 07-22-2006, 07:16 AM

I am looking into buying a boxster. Most likely a S model. What would be the recommended performance upgrades for the engine on this car. I have had good luck with BB triflow exhaust on my BMW. I have been trying to find a place to source air intake kits for these casr and have had no luck. So the questions are.

What air intake kit is the preferred one to get?

What exhaust are people using?

What about ECU upgrades?

What springs does everybody like H&R or Eibach?

Thanks

Brucelee · 07-22-2006, 08:18 AM

Try a search on these topics. Tons of posts here that should help.

xclusivecar · 07-22-2006, 02:23 PM

How about buying the car...driving it a bunch and enjoying the hell out of it...and then worrying about upgrades?!?!?!

orangeamcs · 07-22-2006, 07:28 PM

What fun is a car that you have a hard time upgrading? I went through this BS before with a 1969 AMX and a BSA single. Got wise bought a Hayabusa, that now has a autronic SMC and gt35 turbo on it. Simple fact is that I am sick and cant leave anything stock for more than a few weeks.

Marc Gelefsky · 07-22-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

How about buying the car...driving it a bunch and enjoying the hell out of it...and then worrying about upgrades?!?!?!

To each his own, some people like to mod, it's all part of the obsession!

Brucelee · 07-23-2006, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeamcs

What fun is a car that you have a hard time upgrading? I went through this BS before with a 1969 AMX and a BSA single. Got wise bought a Hayabusa, that now has a autronic SMC and gt35 turbo on it. Simple fact is that I am sick and cant leave anything stock for more than a few weeks.

Well, the good news is that the sky is the limit for upgrades, if you have the cash.

You can start small with ECU, intake and exhaust mods, although we have many who have been disappointed with the results.

You can go SC or TURBO, or larger engine. Or you call those Ruff guys or other professional tuners.

Obviously, the dollars start to fly when you go that route.

As I said, a search here on the topic should keep you reading for hours.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do.

xclusivecar · 07-23-2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc Gelefsky

To each his own, some people like to mod, it's all part of the obsession!

Your absolutely right...to each his own! Hell...I've done a few minor upgrades myself...just figured that after driving the hell out of the car for a few months you can really begin the realize how good this car is...and then when you do "mod" the car you will be able to feel/understand what the mod did to the car.

When you mod a car from the word "GO" you never really know if what you did actually "did" anything. You may feel a sense of accomplishment due to the fact that your wallet becomes MUCH lighter when in reality your accomplishments added up to nothing.

I get it..sort of like a drug...it can ruin you yet you continue down the dark road...

MNBoxster · 07-23-2006, 10:02 AM

Hi,

The most cost-effective mod you can do, and one which won't become obsolete with time, is to take some Driver Ed.

You'll be surprised how much better your car performs once you learn to wring everything from it that it has to give. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

porscheracer · 07-24-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

The most cost-effective mod you can do, and one which won't become obsolete with time, is to take some Driver Ed.

You'll be surprised how much better your car performs once you learn to wring everything from it that it has to give. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

The best upgrades I've done 2000 Boxster S
GHL exhaust - best sounding exhaust for the boxster s (i love the sound reminds me of a 355 Ferrari and only cost me $2,000)..

18's Ruf wheels. - its a Ruf enough said.

Probably my next upgrade FVD ECU but I'm concern about my car's engine life.

just_me · 07-24-2006, 09:45 AM

I'd recomend....none. Exhausts make them louder, but not always faster. Intakes (K&N) make a TINY difference. ECUs rarely help any NA car. Thjey are great with turbos. I have heard that if you carefully do the proper sport exhaust, proper headers, proper ECU flash and proper intake (but careful - you can damage the hot wire/MAF), you can get 20+ HP out of it. And fantastic sound.

I did zilch. And I dont want fantastic sound, since it attracts too much unwanted attention.

Grant

NickCats · 07-24-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

The most cost-effective mod you can do, and one which won't become obsolete with time, is to take some Driver Ed.

You'll be surprised how much better your car performs once you learn to wring everything from it that it has to give. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I concur with Jim's statements, but if you MUST spend money here is what I would suggest :

http://www.imagineauto.com/boxster02.htm

xclusivecar · 07-24-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheracer

The best upgrades I've done 2000 Boxster S
GHL exhaust - best sounding exhaust for the boxster s (i love the sound reminds me of a 355 Ferrari and only cost me $2,000)..

18's Ruf wheels. - its a Ruf enough said.

Probably my next upgrade FVD ECU but I'm concern about my car's engine life.

ONLY $2000! man with the price these days of a 2000S thats almost 10% of the cost of the car!

BTW- "it's a RUF...enough said".what is this supposed to mean?? Because they say RUF on the wheel this makes your car superior to all others? Dude...its a wheel. I bought a Ruf bumper sticker once...enough said.

porscheracer · 07-31-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

ONLY $2000! man with the price these days of a 2000S thats almost 10% of the cost of the car!

BTW- "it's a RUF...enough said".what is this supposed to mean?? Because they say RUF on the wheel this makes your car superior to all others? Dude...its a wheel. I bought a Ruf bumper sticker once...enough said.

Your an angry angry man....

My Boxster S Ruf is superior to your cars but I'm not a fighter, I'm a porsche lover..

986S 38,000 miles
986 37,000 miles
996 TT 25,000 miles

PS I don't drive a Lexus.

insite · 07-31-2006, 10:02 AM

most bang for the buck for suspension upgrades in my opinion is the M030 sway bars and M030 springs. these are factory tuned, so you don't have to worry about aftermarket guys upsetting the wonderful balance of your car.

total cost for the parts is around $400 from sunset imports. the M030 took seven seconds off my lap times at TGPR. that's a HUGE difference.

nastyboxster · 07-31-2006, 10:38 AM

Here is a list of upgrades that I've done:

1. B&M Short shifter ($300)
2. Evo Air intake ($400)
3. Borla Exhaust ($450 for 2 day old one)
4. 2nd Cat bypass ($500)

I did it in stages over the past year, so it doesn't feel like a big hit in the pocket. If you do a search on my posts, I have video clips as well as dyno charts for the mods.

Video Clip http://media.putfile.com/Borla-mp4 (takes a few minutes to load)
Dyno chart Dyno results from mods

A lot of debate about my dyno charts, but it's open to intrepretations.

Other mods include a turbo look bumper.

Wish list to complete my mods in the future

1. M030 suspension ($1000)
2. powerchip ($1000)
3. R Compound tires ($?)

For everyday driving, I get the most compliments and enjoyment from my Exhaust. The Porsche shop said it sounded like a Gt3 cup car.

For Autocross and track, the suspension and the tires will be the most bang for the buck.

Hope this helps.

xclusivecar · 07-31-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheracer

Your an angry angry man....

My Boxster S Ruf is superior to your cars but I'm not a fighter, I'm a porsche lover..

986S 38,000 miles
986 37,000 miles
996 TT 25,000 miles

PS I don't drive a Lexus.

Not angry at all...just don't fall for the marketing hype you buy into. Reminds me of all the posers driving around "Saleen" Mustangs. An exhaust, some crappy plastic ground effects, and the name "SALEEN" plastered across the windshield doesn't quite do it. My opinion.

Enjoy the RUF wheels...I hope they bring you miles of enjoyment none of us other "lessor" Porsches' will match.

07-31-2006, 08:21 PM

My friend has a saleen convertable. And yes, its a body kit and exhaust, buuuuuttttt, saleen does make good ones, with lots and lots of horsepower (he doesnt have one, but its still nice). I believe its the same with RUF. I would call it "stages" of tuning, or in lamens terms, more dough...more go!

BuffaloBoxster · 08-01-2006, 05:14 AM

or more dough more show...

Seriously, if you're looking for a good car to mod, don't buy a Boxster. You'd be better of with an NSX, Supra, etc

porscheracer · 08-01-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boggtown

My friend has a saleen convertable. And yes, its a body kit and exhaust, buuuuuttttt, saleen does make good ones, with lots and lots of horsepower (he doesnt have one, but its still nice). I believe its the same with RUF. I would call it "stages" of tuning, or in lamens terms, more dough...more go!

I saw a Saleen at Limerock park and it didn't even finish.
Porsche is # 1 road race car.
Ferrari # 1 F1 car

If you want Bling get a rice cooker.
If you want power without control get a Viper.
If you want to drive a pizza box car get a Lambo.
If you want to win races get a Porsche.